Set-Top Box with Enhanced Content and System and Method for Use of Same

ABSTRACT

A set-top box with enhanced content and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless transceiver is located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a television input, television output, a processor, and memory. The set-top box may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. The set-top box receives trajectory data from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, which represents motion-based commands provided by a user. The set-top box evaluates the trajectory data and sends a command signal to the television.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/209,756 entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced Content andSystem and Method for Use of Same” filed on Dec. 4, 2018, in the namesof Vanessa Ogle, et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,798,443 issued on Oct. 6,2020; which claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/583,166 entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced Content and System andMethod for Use of Same” filed on May 1, 2017, in the names of VanessaOgle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,005 issued on Dec. 4, 2018; whichclaims priority from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/329,510entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced Content and System and Method forUse of Same” filed on Apr. 29, 2016, in the names of Vanessa Ogle etal.; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference, in entirety, forall purposes herein. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/583,166entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced Content and System and Method forUse of Same” filed on May 1, 2017, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al.,now U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,005 issued on Dec. 4, 2018 is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/422,667 entitled“Set Top/Back Box, System and Method for Providing a Remote ControlDevice” filed on Feb. 2, 2017, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al.;which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/162,823entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System and Method for Providing a RemoteControl Device” filed on May 24, 2016, in the names of Vanessa Ogle etal.; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/876,571 entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System and Method for Providing aRemote Control Device” filed on Oct. 6, 2015, in the names of VanessaOgle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,029 issued on May 24, 2016; whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/525,392entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System and Method for Providing a RemoteControl Device” filed on Oct. 28, 2014, in the names of Vanessa Ogle etal., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,154,825 issued on Oct. 6, 2015; which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/177,876 entitled“Set Top/Back Box, System and Method for Providing a Remote ControlDevice” filed on Feb. 11, 2014, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,875,195 issued on Oct. 28, 2014; which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 13/528,663 entitled “Set Top/Back Box,System And Method For Providing a Remote Control Device” filed on Jun.20, 2012, in the names of Vanessa Ogle, et al., now U.S. Pat. No.8,650,600 issued on Feb. 11, 2014; which claims priority from U.S.Patent Application Ser. No. 61/498,734 entitled “Set Top/Back Box,System and Method for Providing a Remote Control Device” and filed onJun. 20, 2011, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al.; all of which arehereby incorporated by reference, in entirety, for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to set-top boxes and, in particular,to set-top boxes with enhanced content and systems and methods for useof the same that address and enhance the content typically received froman external signal source and provided to a television.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background willbe described in relation to televisions in the hospitality lodgingindustry, as an example. To many individuals, a television is more thanjust a display screen, rather it is a doorway to the world, both realand imaginary, and a way to experience new possibilities anddiscoveries. Consumers are demanding enhanced content in an easy-to-useplatform. As a result of such consumer preferences, the quality ofcontent and ease-of-use are frequent differentiators in determining theexperience of guests staying in hospitality lodging establishments.Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods forproviding enhanced content in an easy-to-use platform in the hospitalitylodging industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a set-top box that would improveupon existing limitations in functionality. It would also be desirableto enable a computer-based electronics and software solution that wouldprovide enhanced content in an easy-to-use platform in the hospitalitylodging industry or in another environment. To better address one ormore of these concerns, a set-top box with enhanced content and systemand method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of theset-top box, a wireless transceiver is located within a housing, whichalso interconnectively includes a television input, television output, aprocessor, and memory.

The set-top box may establish a pairing with a proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Theset-top box receives trajectory data from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device, which represents motion-based commandsprovided by a user. The set-top box evaluates the trajectory data andsends a command signal to the television. These and other aspects of theinvention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to theembodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a system forproviding a set-top box having enhanced content thereon according to theteachings presented herein;

FIG. 2A is a wall-facing exterior elevation view of one embodiment ofthe set-top box depicted in FIG. 1 in further detail;

FIG. 2B is a television-facing exterior elevation view of the set-topbox depicted in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a dongledepicted in FIG. 1 in further detail;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of theset-top box presented in FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 4 is a hybrid-schematic-functional block diagram depicting oneembodiment of a motion processing unit;

FIG. 5 a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of aproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device presented inFIG. 1A; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding a set-top box having enhanced content according to theteachings presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, therein is depicted one embodiment of asystem 10 utilizing set-top box 12 with enhanced content capabilitiesbeing employed within a hospitality lodging establishment H. Thehospitality lodging establishment or, more generally, hospitalityproperty, may be a furnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodgingestablishment, hotel, hospital, or other multi-unit environment. Asshown, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the hospitalityenvironment is depicted as the hotel H having various rooms, includingroom R and back of the house operations O. The set-top box 12 iscommunicatively disposed with various amenities associated with thehospitality environment H, including a television 14. Set-top boxes,like the set-top box 12, may be deployed throughout the rooms R of thehotel H and are in communication with a property server 16, which isco-located at the hotel H.

As shown, in one embodiment, within the room R, the system 10 includesthe set-top box 12 and a display illustrated as the television 14 havinga screen 18. A connection, which is depicted as an HDMI connection 20,connects the set-top box 12 to the television 14. Other connectionsinclude a power cable 22 coupling the set-top box 12 to a power source,a coaxial cable 24 coupling the set-top box 12 to an external cablesource, and a category five (Cat 5) cable 26 coupling the set-top box 12to an external pay-per-view source at a hotel or other lodgingestablishment, for example. As shown, the set-top box 12 includes adongle 30 providing particular technology and functionality extensionsthereto. More generally, it should be appreciated that the cablingconnected to the set-top box 12 will depend on the environment andapplication, and the cabling connections presented in FIG. 1 aredepicted for illustrative purposes. Further, it should be appreciatedthat the positioning of the set-top box 12 will vary depending onenvironment and application and, with certain functionality, the set-topbox 12 may be placed more discretely behind the television 14.

A proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 may be awireless-enabled interactive handheld device that may be supplied orcarried by the guest and may be selected from a range of existingdevices, such as, for example iPads®, iPhones®, iPod Touch®, Android®devices, Blackberry® devices, personal computers, laptops, tabletcomputers, smart phones, and smart watches, for example. As will bediscussed in further detail below, in one implementation, an applicationinstalled from a server enables the set-top box 12 and the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 to be wirelesslypaired. In another embodiment, a challenge-response is utilized towirelessly pair the set-top box 12 and the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32. A room control device 34 representscontrol of various amenities associated with a user's stay in a lodgingestablishment. The various amenities may include lights 36, athermostat, shades, and a doorbell/do not disturb designation 38. Theset-top box 12 is communicatively disposed with these various amenities,which may also include a CD/DVD player, a radio tuner, and a hospitalitysuite 40, which represents a set of services such as check in/check out,maid service 42, spa, room service, and front desk 44.

As shown, an interactive guest portal G is displayed on the televisionscreen 18, which is generic, unless a guest configuration profile isloaded within the set-top box 12. The guest configuration profile may beloaded from the operations, e.g., the front desk or hotel headend, byuse of a remote control, or by a proximate device, such as the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32. The guestconfiguration profile personalizes the presentation of the guest portalG, as discussed below.

In one implementation, as illustrated, the set-top box 12 extends aphysical authorization interface, shown as area A, from the set-top boxto an area easily accessible to a transitory guest's convenience such asin front or side of the television 14. This physical authorizationinterface A may include a short range wireless data connection that isenabled only when very close physically to the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32, for example.Further, once the pairing is established, as represented by bar 45, theset-top box 12 provides a secure wireless interface to communicatetransitory guest user device authorization information to the set-topbox 12 to accomplish verification. Once authorization information iscommunicated to the set-top box 12, the set-top box 12 enables the guestconfiguration profile.

Enabled, the guest configuration profile provides a customized set-topbox experience. More particularly, the guest configuration profileincludes guest identification, a guest channel preference presentation,and a guest service preference presentation with guest accountinformation. The guest configuration profile is a guest-specific,guest-customized set-top box generated environment referencing anexplicit digital representation of a guest's identity. The set-top boxgenerates the interactive guest portal G, and various other menu optionsincluding a program guide, a guest channel preference presentation, aguest service preference presentation, a live television option, aplug-and-play option, and a local device option, which includes premiumprogramming, game, and music content, for example. Further, personalarea network and local area network connectivity is provided to theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32, as shownby the Wi-Fi indicator W.

In operation, virtual remote control functionality may be provided bythe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 bymotion of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device32 to (a) send a command signal to the television, (b) import contentfrom the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device tothe television, or (c) control an amenity associated with a user's stayin a lodging establishment, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 isprepared for motion-based commands and a visual indication of such isprovided by way of icon 46, which may be presented on the screen 18 oron the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32.Thereafter, motion-based commands M are received by the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 and forwarded to theset-top box 12. Once translated, a command is generated to change thechannel, as shown by channel change 48, from the interactive guestportal G to program P.

Referring to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 3, as used herein, set-topboxes, back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed as set-topboxes. By way of example, the set-top box 12 may be a set-top unit thatis an information appliance device that generally contains set-top boxfunctionality including having a television-tuner input and displaysoutput through a connection to a display or television set and anexternal source of signal, turning by way of tuning the source signalinto content in a form that can then be displayed on the televisionscreen or other display device. Such set-top boxes are used in cabletelevision, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems,for example.

The set-top box 12 includes a housing 50 having a rear wall 52, frontwall 54, top wall 56, bottom base 58, and two sidewalls 60, 62. Itshould be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wall arerelative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation and thenomenclature of the walls may vary depending on application. The frontwall includes various ports, ports 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, and80 that provide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputs andoutputs. In one implementation, as illustrated, the ports 64 through 80include inputs 82 and outputs 84 and, more particularly, an RF input 86,an RJ45 input 88, universal serial bus (USB) input/outputs 90, anEthernet category 5 (Cat 5) coupling 92, an internal reset 94, an RS232control 96, an audio out 98, an audio in 100, and a debug/maintenanceport 102. The front wall 54 also includes various inputs 82 and outputs84. More particularly, ports 110, 112, 114, and 116 include a 5V dcpower connection 120, USB inputs/outputs 122, an RJ45 coupling 124, andan HDMI port 126. It should be appreciated that the configuration ofports may vary with the set-top box depending on application andcontext. As previously alluded to, the housing 50 may include ahousing-dongle combination including, with respect to the dongle 30, aunit 130 having a cable 134 with a set-top box connector 132 forselectively coupling with the set-top box 12.

Within the housing 50, a processor 140, memory 142, storage 144, theinputs 82, and the outputs 84 are interconnected by a bus architecture146 within a mounting architecture. The processor 140 may processinstructions for execution within the computing device, includinginstructions stored in the memory 142 or in storage 144. The memory 142stores information within the computing device. In one implementation,the memory 142 is a volatile memory unit or units. In anotherimplementation, the memory 142 is a non-volatile memory unit or units.Storage 144 provides capacity that is capable of providing mass storagefor the set-top box 12. The various inputs 82 and outputs 84 provideconnections to and from the computing device, wherein the inputs 82 arethe signals or data received by the set-top box 12, and the outputs 84are the signals or data sent from the set-top box 12.

A television content signal input 148 and a television output 150 arealso secured in the housing 50 in order to receive content from a sourcein the hospitality property and forward the content, including externalcontent such as cable and satellite and pay-per-view (PPV) programming,to the television located within the hotel room.

A transceiver 152 is associated with the set-top box 12 andcommunicatively disposed with the bus 146. As shown the transceiver 152may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing.Further, the transceiver 152 may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver, oran antenna for example. Communication between various amenities in thehotel room and the set-top box 12 may be enabled by a variety ofwireless methodologies employed by the transceiver 152, including802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC),Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) maybe utilized.

The memory 142 and storage 144 are accessible to the processor 140 andinclude processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 140 to execute a series of operations. Theprocessor-executable instructions specify a search operation to identifythe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32wherein the search operation utilizes the wireless transceiver towirelessly identify the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32. The processor-executable instructions thenestablish a pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32 and the set-top box 12. Following theestablishment of a pairing, formatted parallel audiovisual experienceinstructions are sent to the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32. The formatted parallel audiovisual experienceinstructions are configured to provide a downstream parallel experiencerelated to the content on the television 14. The memory 142 alsoprovides instructions that prepare the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32 for motion-based commands. In oneimplementation, the instructions furnish an icon on a touch screendisplay associated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32. The icon communicates to a user that thewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 is prepared formotion-based commands.

With respect to controlling the television 14, the processor-executableinstructions cause the processor to receive and process at leastpartially processed trajectory data, which is a representation of motionof the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32,from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. Theprocessor 140 is then caused to evaluate the processed trajectory datato assign a meaning to the motion of the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32. Responsive to evaluating theprocessed trajectory data, a command signal is generated that providesremote control functionality to the television.

With respect to importing content from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32, the memory 142 includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 140 to respond to evaluating the processed trajectory data,import content from the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32 and reformat the imported content such that thetelevision output forwards a fully tuned signal including the importedcontent to the television 14. The fully tuned signal includes theimported content and provides an upstream parallel experience on thetelevision 14 related to the content on the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32.

With respect to amenity control, the memory 142 includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to respond to evaluating the processed trajectory data, andsend a command to the particular amenity. A configuration profile isassociated with the memory 142 and processor-executable instructionsthat enables the set-top box 12 to control multiple proximate amenitiesrelated to a user's stay in a lodging establishment in a multi-roomenvironment, including the particular amenity to be controlled. Theconfiguration profile, for each amenity of the plurality of amenities,includes instructions for virtual buttons on a touch screen display, andinstructions for associating virtual remote control functionality inputinstructions from the touch screen display with commands. Theconfiguration profile, for each amenity of the plurality of amenities,includes instructions for virtual buttons on a touch screen display, andinstructions for associating virtual remote control functionality inputinstructions received as the spoken sequence of words from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device with commands.

Referring now to FIG. 4, one embodiment of a motion processing unit isdepicted as trajectory electronics 160, in which components of themotion processing unit are integrated in a single package, e.g., throughwafer-scale integration that may involve utilization of MEMS sensorwafers and an electronics wafer. In one implementation, the trajectoryelectronics 160 can measure at least one axis of acceleration and atleast two axes of rotation. As depicted, axes of acceleration 162, 164,166 are measured by a three-axis accelerometer and axes of rotation 168,170, 172 are measured by a three-axis gyroscope to provide six axes ofsensing. More specifically, in one implementation, the three-axisaccelerometer and the three-axis gyroscope are integrated onto the MEMSsensor wafer, and the corresponding electronics are integrated onto theelectronics wafer, which are bonded to each other.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32 may include a processor 180, memory182, and storage 184, interconnected by a bus architecture 186 within amounting architecture. Also mounted to the bus architecture 186 is adisplay 188, an I/O panel 190, a camera 192, a transmitter/receiver 194,and the trajectory electronics 160, which include gyroscopes 196,accelerometers 198, and temperature sensors 200. The components of theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 provideinteractive and to some degree autonomous operation. The gyroscopes 196monitor and measure rotation and may include rotation-based gyroscopes;electronic, microchip-packaged MEMS gyroscopes of the type found inconsumer electronics devices; solid-state ring lasers; fiber opticgyroscopes; or extremely sensitive quantum gyroscopes, for example. Theaccelerometers 198 measure proper acceleration and the temperaturesensors 200 measure temperature or a temperature gradient and, inparticular, a physical change such as user contact that drives anincrease in temperature.

According to various embodiments, the motion sensors of the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 may be used tocontrol selection from a set of elements displayed on the televisionscreen 18 of the television 14 or the display 188 of the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32, such as a set oficons (whether displayed as a two dimensional array, in a threedimensional structure, or in any other manner capable of presenting datafor user review or interaction), a menu containing a list of items, or aset of image thumbnails, or any other elements that can be displayed foruser review or interaction. The selection of other similar sets ofdiscrete elements may also be controlled using the features describedherein. Displayed objects or areas of a variety of shapes andconfigurations can be selected as elements, including 2-D objects or 3-Dobjects displayed on a 2-D display screen. Additionally, the motionsensors of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice may be used in place of a remote control.

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a method for providing a remote controldevice, according to the teachings presented herein. At block 230, theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device is configuredto provide a parallel audiovisual experience. In one implementation,this may involve using an existing application on the programmabledevice, such as a browser, or downloading a new application. At block232, a search, which may be active or passive, is performed by theset-top box to identify a physically proximate programmable device inthe multi-room environment. At block 234, a pairing is established priorto a scalable parallel audiovisual experience being provided at block236 on the touch screen display of the programmable device. Theaudiovisual experience is parallel to the television experience beingprovided by the set-top box. As noted by block 236, this experience mayinclude providing virtual buttons integrated within the audiovisualexperience or two or more panels within the touch screen display showingthe television experience and one or more virtual remote controls.

Referring to decision block 238, as previously discussed, the virtualremote controls and buttons each correspond to amenities under thecontrol of the set-top box, remote control of the television, orimporting content from the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device to the television. With respect to control ofamenities, at block 240, instructions are provided that prepare theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device formotion-based commands. In one implementation, the instructions furnishan icon on a touch screen display associated with the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device. The icon communicatesto a user that the wireless-enabled interactive programmable device isprepared for motion-based commands. At block 242, the set-top boxreceives and processes at least partially processed trajectory data,which is a representation of motion of the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device, from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device. At block 244, the processed trajectorydata is processed and translated to assign a meaning to the motion ofthe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. At block246, responsive to evaluating the processed trajectory data, a commandsignal is generated that sends a command to the amenity.

Returning to decision block 238, with respect to remote control of thetelevision, at block 248, instructions are provided that prepare theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device formotion-based commands. In one implementation, the instructions furnishan icon on a touch screen display associated with the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device. The icon communicatesto a user that the wireless-enabled interactive programmable device isprepared for motion-based commands that will control the television. Atblock 250, the set-top box receives and processes at least partiallyprocessed trajectory data, which is a representation of motion of theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. At block252, the processed trajectory data is processed and translated to assigna meaning to the motion of the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device. At block 254, the command signal is sent to thetelevision.

Returning now to decision block 238 and the importation of content fromthe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, at block256, instructions are provided that prepare the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device for motion-basedcommands. In one implementation, the instructions furnish an icon on atouch screen display associated with the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device. The icon communicates to a user thatthe wireless-enabled interactive programmable device is prepared formotion-based commands. At block 258, the set-top box receives andprocesses at least partially processed trajectory data, which is arepresentation of motion of the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, from the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device. At block 260, the processed trajectory data isprocessed and translated to assign a meaning to the motion of theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. At block262, responsive to evaluating the processed trajectory data, content isimported from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice. At block 264, imported content is reformatted such that thetelevision output forwards a fully tuned signal including the importedcontent to the television at block 266. As discussed, the fully tunedsignal including the imported content provides an upstream parallelexperience on the television related to the content on the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flowsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methodsmay include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. Forexample, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particularelement before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are allpossible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for controlling a television: aprogramming interface configured to communicate with a set-top box, theset-top box including a housing securing a television input, atelevision output, a processor, memory, and storage therein, the set-topbox including a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting thetelevision input, the television output, the processor, the memory, andthe storage, the set-top box including a wireless transceiver associatedwith the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the wirelesstransceiver operable to communicate with a non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device; the memory accessibleto the processor, the memory including first processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, by the processor cause the system to:receive and process at least partially processed trajectory data fromthe non-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, the at least partially processed trajectory databeing representations of motion of the non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, evaluate the at leastpartially processed trajectory data to assign a meaning to the motion ofthe non-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, responsive to evaluating the at least partiallyprocessed trajectory data, generate a command signal to enable thenon-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice to have virtual remote control functionality, and send thecommand signal to the television; and the memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including second processor-executable instructionsthat, when executed, by the processor cause the system to: provideinstructions for icons on a touch screen display associated with thenon-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactive handhelddevice, the icons being associated with an amenity, receive and processthe at least partially processed trajectory data from the non-remotecontrol proximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device, andresponsive to processing the at least partially processed trajectorydata, send a command to the amenity.
 2. The system as recited in claim1, wherein the first processor-executable instructions further compriseprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, by the processorcause the system to communicate with the non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device via a standard selectedfrom the group consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi,ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), and Bluetooth.
 3. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the first processor-executable instructionsfurther comprise processor-executable instructions that, when executed,by the processor cause the system to communicate with the non-remotecontrol proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device via ashort distance data exchange standard.
 4. The system as recited in claim3, wherein the short distance data exchange standard comprisesBluetooth.
 5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondprocessor-executable instructions further comprise processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, by the processor cause the system tocommunicate with the amenity via a standard selected from the groupconsisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, nearfield communications (NFC), and Bluetooth.
 6. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the non-remote control proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device comprises a device selected from thegroup consisting of personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, smartphones, and smart watches.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1, whereinthe non-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device comprises a smart phone.
 8. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least partially processed trajectory datafurther comprises gyroscope-based data.
 9. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least partially processed trajectory datafurther comprises accelerometer-based data.
 10. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the at least partially processed trajectory datafurther comprises temperature sensor-based data.
 11. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the command signal provides remote controlof the television.
 12. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thecommand to the amenity provides remote control of the amenity.
 13. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the amenity is selected from thegroup of devices consisting of lights, a thermostat, and shades.
 14. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, wherein the amenity is selected from thegroup consisting of a doorbell designation and a do not disturbdesignation.
 15. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the amenityis selected from the group consisting of CD/DVD players, and radiotuners.
 16. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the amenityfurther comprises a hospitality suite.
 17. The system as recited inclaim 16, wherein the hospitality suite further comprises a serviceselected from the group consisting of check in/check out, maid service,spa, room service, and front desk.
 18. A system for controlling atelevision: a programming interface configured to communicate with aset-top box, the set-top box including a housing securing a televisioninput, a television output, a processor, memory, and storage therein,the set-top box including a busing architecture communicativelyinterconnecting the television input, the television output, theprocessor, the memory, and the storage, the set-top box including awireless transceiver associated with the housing and coupled to thebusing architecture, the wireless transceiver operable to communicatewith a non-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device; the memory accessible to the processor, the memoryincluding first processor-executable instructions that, when executed,by the processor cause the system to: establish a pairing between thenon-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice and the set-top box, receive and process the at least partiallyprocessed trajectory data from the non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, the at least partiallyprocessed trajectory data being representations of motion of thenon-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice, evaluate the at least partially processed trajectory data toassign a meaning to the motion of the non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, responsive toevaluating the at least partially processed trajectory data, generate acommand signal to enable the non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device to have virtual remotecontrol functionality, the at least partially processed trajectory dataincludes data selected from the group consisting of gyroscope-baseddata, accelerometer-based data, and temperature sensor-based data, andsend the command signal to the television; and the memory accessible tothe processor, the memory including second processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, by the processor cause the system to:provide instructions for icons on a touch screen display associated withthe non-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactive handhelddevice, the icons being associated with an amenity, receive and processthe at least partially processed trajectory data from the non-remotecontrol proximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device, andresponsive to processing the at least partially processed trajectorydata, send a command to the particular amenity.
 19. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the amenity is selected from the group ofdevices consisting of lights, a thermostat, and shades.
 20. A system forcontrolling a television: a programming interface configured tocommunicate with a set-top box, the set-top box including a wirelesstransceiver, the wireless transceiver operable to communicate with anon-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice; the memory accessible to the processor, the memory includingfirst processor-executable instructions that, when executed, by theprocessor cause the system to: receive and process at least partiallyprocessed trajectory data from the non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, the at least partiallyprocessed trajectory data being representations of motion of thenon-remote control proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice, evaluate the at least partially processed trajectory data toassign a meaning to the motion of the non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, responsive toevaluating the at least partially processed trajectory data, generate acommand signal to enable the non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device to have virtual remotecontrol functionality, and send the command signal to the television;and the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including secondprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, by the processorcause the system to: provide instructions for icons on a touch screendisplay associated with the non-remote control proximatewireless-enabled interactive handheld device, the icons being associatedwith an amenity, receive and process the at least partially processedtrajectory data from the non-remote control proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device, and responsive to processing the at leastpartially processed trajectory data, send a command to the amenity.